Meta Naito
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14 Min read Jiaoqiu is a self proclaimed healer that can’t heal. He does however provide great debuff frequency and Vulnerability, a rare stat, on enemies affected by Ashen Roast. Jiaoqiu’s Vulnerability also does not expire or wear off on phase changes if his field is still up. Jiaoqiu is a stellar unit for Acheron, and a good secondary debuffer for other team comps. He also has a fire DoT, but first and foremost is a support.
Jiaoqiu is almost glued to Acheron, but can be slotted in most teams. His performance is most noticeable in Pure Fiction, where the large number of enemies’ action will apply a debuff each time they move.
Jiaoqiu is a solid debuffer with moderate amp, but makes up for it due to the high uptime. Let’s dive into his kit.
Jiaoqiu’s talent and whole kit is centered around Ashen Roast. Ashen Roast is a debuff that Jiaoqiu applies whenever he uses a damaging move. It applies a Vulnerability of 15% plus 5% for each subsequent stack, capped at 5. This increased DMG from talent gives at max 35% Vuln. and lasts for two turns. Enemies afflicted with Ashen Roast also have a fire DoT applied to them, but don’t expect too much damage from it.
His Skill and Basic are just damaging abilities that can apply 1 stack of Ashen Roast, nothing too special. His talent also applies a stack of Ashen Roast to all enemies when entering battle.
A quick look at his traces. Jiaoqiu gets 15 Energy at the start of battle. So with one skill cast, he can immediately get his Ultimate up in MoC/PF/AS. Jiaoqiu gets an additional 60% Attack for every 15% of his Effect Hit Rate over 80%, up to 240% Attack. His last trace applies Ashen Roast for enemies entering combat and applies the highest current stack while his Ultimate is active. This trace is really good, since in Pure Fiction enemies will all enter with 5 stacks of Ashen Roast. This also works for phase changes on bosses or waves. This is massive if you compare it to other nihility characters, such as Pela or Silverwolf, that need to recast their Ult/Skill to reapply their debuffs.
Jiaoqiu’s Ultimate will apply the highest number of Ashen Roast stacks to all enemies, then activates the “Zone”, lasting for 3 turns. This Zone is another core part of Jiaoqiu that makes him unique. Inside the Zone, enemies take 15% increased Ultimate Vulnerability, on top of the 40% from his talent. Enemies when taking action within the Zone have a 60% chance of being inflicted with 1 stack of Ashen Roast, up to 6 times. Each enemy can only trigger it once per turn, meaning if the enemy moves twice in one action, it will only apply once. You can reset this limit by recasting his Ultimate.
Who is this good for? At the moment, only Acheron. Acheron with Jiaoqiu can get debuffs both on his turn and whenever the enemy takes action. Think of it like the Trend of the Universal Market Light Cone, except you don’t need to get hit. Speaking of, Trend and Ashen Roast don’t work together, unless the enemy takes consecutive actions.
Basic Attack – Heart Afire: Deals Fire DMG equal to 100% of Jiaoqiu’s ATK to a single target enemy.
Skill – Scorch Onslaught: Deals Fire DMG equal to 150% of Jiaoqiu’s ATK to a single target enemy and Fire DMG equal to 90% of Jiaoqiu’s ATK to adjacent targets, with a 100% base chance to inflict 1 stack of Ashen Roast on the primary target.
Ultimate – Pyrograph Arcanum: Sets the number of “Ashen Roast” stacks on enemy targets to the highest number of “Ashen Roast” stacks present on the battlefield. Then, activates a Zone and deals Fire DMG equal to 100% of Jiaoqiu’s ATK to all enemies.
While inside the Zone, enemy targets receive 15% increased Ultimate DMG, with a 60% base chance of being inflicted with 1 stack of Ashen Roast when taking action. While the Zone exists, this effect can trigger up to 6 time(s). And for each enemy target, it can only trigger once per turn. This trigger count resets every time Jiaoqiu uses Ultimate.
The Zone lasts for 3 turn(s), and its duration decreases by 1 at the start of this unit’s every turn. If Jiaoqiu gets knocked down, the Zone will also be dispelled.
Talent – Quartet Finesse, Octave Finery: When Jiaoqiu hits an enemy with Basic ATK, Skill or Ultimate, there is a 100% base chance to inflict 1 stack of Ashen Roast on them. At 1 stack, increases DMG received by the enemy by 15%. Then, each subsequent stack increases this by 5%.
Ashen Roast is capped at 5 stack(s) and lasts for 2 turn(s).
When an enemy target is afflicted with Ashen Roast, they are also considered as being Burned at the same time, taking Fire DoT equal to 180% of Jiaoqiu’s ATK at the start of each turn.
Technique – Fiery Queller: After using Technique, creates a Special Dimension that lasts for 15 second(s). After entering combat with enemies in this Special Dimension, deals Fire DMG equal to 100% of Jiaoqiu’s ATK to all enemies, with a 100% base chance of applying 1 “Ashen Roast” stack. Only 1 dimension created by allies can exist at the same time.
Pyre Cleanse: When battle starts, immediately regenerates 15 Energy.
Hearth Kindle: For every 15% of Jiaoqiu’s Effect Hit Rate that exceeds 80%, additionally increases ATK by 60%, up to 240%.
Seared Scent: While the Zone exists, enemies entering combat will be inflicted with Ashen Roast. The number of stacks applied will match the highest number of “Ashen Roast” stacks possessed by any unit while the Zone is active, with a minimum of 1 stack(s).
Jiaoqiu has some pretty good eidolons for any players that want to go vertical on him. The extra stack from talent is negligible at E1, but the additional 40% DMG buff provides a good dmg amp. E2 makes Jiaoqiu arguably the best DoT character in the game. The E4 is not worth mentioning since most of the time you’ll be running with a sustain. Jiaoqiu’s E6 is very good and one of the best supportive E6 eidolons. Ashen Roast stacks up to 9, making E1 actually useful. Jiaoqiu at E6 gives you 27% All-type RES Reduction and an extra 22% more Vulnerability. Factoring his Lvl 12. Talents he can give up to 76.7% Ultimate Vulnerability, which is quite insane.
Light Cones
Main Stats
Relics
Planar Set
Those Many Springs: Increases the wearer’s Effect Hit Rate by 60% / 70% / 80% / 90% / 100%. After the wearer uses Basic ATK, Skill, or Ultimate to attack an enemy target, there is a 60% base chance to inflict “Unarmored” on the target. While in the Unarmored state, the enemy target receives 10% / 12% / 14% / 16% / 18% increased DMG, lasting for 2 turn(s). If the target is under a DoT state inflicted by the wearer, there is a 60% base chance to upgrade the “Unarmored” state inflicted by the wearer to the “Cornered” state, which additionally increases the DMG the enemy target receives by 14% / 16% / 18% / 20% / 22%, lasting for 2 turn(s). During this period, the wearer cannot inflict “Unarmored” on the target.
Jiaoqiu’s Signature Light Cone is very good. Provides a hefty 60% Effect Hit Rate making it easier for him to build. You want to aim for 160% EHR to consistently inflict “Unarmored/Cornered” in one action. Since Jiaoqiu has own DoT, he will upgrade to the “Cornered” state immediately, providing a 24% Vulnerability to enemies at S1, which is absurd from a Light Cone. Expect a noticeable damage increase to your DPS if Jiaoqiu holds his Signature.
Eyes of the Prey: Increases the wearer’s Effect Hit Rate by 20.0% / 25.0% / 30.0% / 35.0% / 40.0% and increases DoT by 24.0% / 30.0% / 36.0% / 42.0% / 48.0%
Jiaoqiu’s Effect Hit Rate requirements for Ashen Roast are very high, so this is your best option other than his Signature if you need those debuff applications.
Resolution Shines As Pearls of Sweat: When the wearer hits an enemy and if the hit enemy is not already Ensnared, then there is a 60% / 70% / 80% / 90% / 100% base chance to Ensnare the hit enemy. Ensnared enemies’ DEF decreases by 12% / 13% / 14% / 15% / 16% for 1 turn(s).
If you are using him in teams that don’t care about Ashen Roast, this is a good alternative, and has way lower EHR requirements at 67%. Pearls also gives DEF shred, unlike Eyes of Prey which is just used as a stat stick for the EHR.
Before the Tutorial Mission Starts: Increases the wearer’s Effect Hit Rate by 20%/25%/30%/35%/40%. When the wearer attacks DEF-reduced enemies, regenerates 4/5/6/7/8 Energy.
Provides Effect Hit Rate and if there is another DEF shred source on the team, can help get his Ultimate faster due to the Energy Regen.
Solitary Healing (only for PF): Increases the wearer’s Break Effect by 20.0% / 25.0% / 30.0% / 35.0% / 40.0%. When the wearer uses their Ultimate, increases DoT dealt by the wearer by 24.0% / 30.0% / 36.0% / 42.0% / 48.0%, lasting for 2.0 turn(s). When a target enemy suffering from DoT imposed by the wearer is defeated, regenerates 4.0 / 4.5 / 5.0 / 5.5 / 6.0 Energy for the wearer.
The best choice when used in Pure Fiction and played with Acheron. Allows Jiaoqiu to spam his Ultimate to reset the Ashen Roast limit of 6 debuffs, which can come into play in modes with many enemies, like Pure Fiction. Otherwise not really useful in other scenarios, as it provides no amp or EHR.
Jiaoqiu is first and foremost a support, so there is no need to build damaging stats unless you want to play him as a DPS. You want an Effect Hit Rate chest since his EHR requirements are high. Speed boots are the go-to, so that you can either generate more SP or re-apply debuffs more frequently.
For his Orb you want to get HP% or DEF% to increase his bulk as well as an Energy Regeneration Rope for his rotations. If you want to make him a DoT DPS at E2, you can opt for a Fire Orb.
Jiaoqiu’s Ashen Roast application requires a lot of Effect Hit Rate. Hence if you need the constant debuffs, you need 177.78% Effect Hit Rate to guarantee against 40% Effect RES enemies. However 40% Effect RES enemies are not common, and hitting that high EHR is difficult while having high speed.
Having 160% Effect Hit Rate if you have his Signature Light Cone will make inflicting the “Unarmored/Cornered” state in one turn consistent. 140% Effect Hit Rate is enough for most use cases, with a 86% chance to land on 40% Effect Res enemies for his Ashen Roast. This is also the breakpoint that caps his EHR to Attack convert trace.
If you don’t care about the Ashen Roast re-applying debuff on enemy turn, your EHR requirements are significantly reduced. Equipping Resolution Shines As Pearls of the Sweat at S5, you only need 67% Effect Hit Rate to guarantee the DEF-shred from Ensnare.
Speedtuning: There is no specific speedtuning with Jiaoqiu, but you want to be as fast as possible without sabotaging your Effect Hit Rate stats. A good stat goal for Jiaoqiu’s build would be to have 160+ speed and 140-160+ Effect Hit Rate.
2-Pc Speed/Speed or relics with most Effect Hit Rate substats
There is no specific 4pc relic made for Jiaoqiu. It is fine to go rainbow relics on him and just use the pieces that have the most Effect Hit Rate substats on them. The 2pc Messenger or Sacerdps is an easy way for Jiaoqiu to get more Speed, something he benefits from.
Eagle of Twilight
The Eagle relic is for the min-maxers, and requires significant relic investment to get pieces with high speed. With that being said, if you can get Jiaoqiu with high speed on Eagle, he can get more turns, and be able to apply his debuff more frequently. This is only beneficial for Acheron, since other parties don’t really care about his Ashen Roast frequency.
Prisoner in Deep Confinement
IF you want to make Jiaoqiu a DoT DPS. Not really recommended unless you have him at E2, as his damage before that is underwhelming.
Sprightly Vonwacq
Lushaka, the Sunken Seas
If you don’t want to use Vonwacq, any supportive planar is fine, e.g Keel/Fleet/Penacony. Lushaka can stack, giving up to 36% ATK with 2 other users, providing the biggest damage increase out of the supportive planars. However it only applies to 1 character.
Acheron: Jiaoqiu is Acheron’s premier support. The debuff frequency from his Ashen Roast makes Acheron gain a stack of Slashed Dream whenever the enemy moves, shortening her Ultimate rotation vastly compared to any other Nihility unit. Acheron’s kit is missing Vulnerability from her damage distribution, which Jiaoqiu is here to give plenty of. Jiaoqiu also makes Acheron go from a mediocre Pure Fiction unit to a pretty good one. It’s a no-brainer to use Acheron with Jiaoqiu if you have him.
Yunli: Yunli’s primary damage is from her Ultimate, so Jiaoqiu’s Ultimate Vulnerability will make her Culls hit even harder.
Argenti: Argenti can also benefit from Jiaoqiu, since his primary damage comes from his Ultimate as well, making him sweep waves with his low cost Ultimate in modes like Pure Fiction.
Dr. Ratio: Dr. Ratio’s follow ups have a higher chance of landing due to the debuffs Jiaoqiu provides and provide consistency due to his high uptime.
Kafka/Black Swan: Jiaoqiu can serve as a substitute for Ruan Mei in a DoT comp. Jiaoqiu’s strong debuffs that don’t fall off and the DoT he provides are great for Kafka and Swan. His damage capabilities at E0 aren’t that impressive, but still can be helpful as an additional DoT source for the prisoner relic.
Robin: Robin’s Concerto procs are affected by Jiaoqiu’s Vulnerability from his talent, making her do even more damage whenever her teammates attack an enemy.
Pela: Pela is a great pairing with Jiaoqiu when you need 2 nihilities in a comp, such as in Acheron’s at E0. Pela’s defense shred also does not oversaturate with JIaoqiu’s Vulnerability, which is good for making the overall amp less diluted.
Aventurine: Jiaoqiu is one of the few limited supports that can increase Aventurine’s damage. Since Aventurine scales off of Defense, he doesn’t benefit much from harmonies that mostly buff Attack. Jiaoqiu’s Vulnerability is universal, increasing all types of damage.
Acheron Dual Nihility
Each member of this team is able to provide debuffs for Acheron, which is what she values most, in order to be able to Ult as much as possible. Dual Nihility also gives Acheron the full benefit from her Nihility trace. Jiaoqiu provides Vulnerability while Pela gives DEF shred, so there is no oversaturation of debuffs.
Premium Acheron
This comp is the strongest for Acheron arguably at E0, and most definitely at E2. Robin along with her superior buffs allows Acheron more time to gain stacks from her action advance on her Ultimate, and Jiaoqiu generates an unbelievable amount of stacks for Acheron whenever the enemies take a turn. Aventurine can also print stacks too depending on how aggressive the enemies are, which is becoming more common.
Ultimate-based DPS team
There exists other Ultimate based DPSes other than Acheron, namely Yunli and Argenti which are both ironically Physical units. Jiaoqiu’s Ultimate Vulnerability from his Zone will make both hit even harder whenever they use their Ultimate.
DoT Team
If Ruan Mei or Robin is occupied in another team, Jiaoqiu can be used as a substitute in a DoT comp. If Jiaoqiu has his E2, he can do quite good damage from his own DoT. Jiaoqiu’s own DoT will also help with stacking Arcana and be detonated by Kafka.
Jiaoqiu has good debuffs to help your DPS do more damage, however doesn’t offer much utility compared to Harmony characters. Due to this he is more of a secondary support, and not the best in most teams, except Acheron. Ultimate based DPS like Yunli and Argenti do benefit from the Ultimate Vulnerability, but they’d rather have supports that give them more Energy. Feixiao prefers Robin and another sub DPS. The Ashen Roast that triggers whenever the enemy takes action is also solely utilized by Acheron, for her to get Slashed Dreams stacks faster for her Ultimate. Jiaoqiu as a DoT unit is also lacking, unless you get E2, which is a hard ask when DoT is not that strong at the moment.
Jiaoqiu’s pull value currently boils down to whether you have Acheron or not. If you do, he is a very worthwhile pull, providing great QoL and buffs for Acheron. One of the biggest benefits is that Jiaoqiu makes Acheron a very respectable unit in Pure Fiction or other AoE scenarios. Without Acheron though, his pull value is questionable, when other Harmony/Nihility characters exist that can be slotted in that will perform better.
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